Statement
from IBEW International President Ed Hill on Hurricane Sandy Clean-Up

(Washington, DC)
-- Thousands of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers members are
working around the clock to restore power and clean up the damage left in the
wake of Hurricane Sandy. Many have traveled hundreds of miles from more than a
dozen states to help with the effort, risking their own personal safety to get
affected communities back online.

It is the policy of this union and
the companies we represent to welcome assistance during major natural disasters
– regardless of union status.

There have been reports that a
nonunion crew was turned away from work in New Jersey. At this stage, it
is not clear who is alleged to have turned the crew away and the company that
employs the affected workers has denied the claim. IBEW local leaders in
New Jersey have reiterated what has been the long standing record of our
union –in times of crisis all help is welcome and we pull together with
everyone to meet the needs of the public. We have communicated this to
the office of New Jersey Governor Christie as well.

It is unfortunate that at a time
when skilled line workers are working around the clock to help devastated
communities, sketchy reports should cast a pall over these efforts.
The real story is that our members and others are working side by side to help
people in New Jersey and all affected states get their power back and recover
from the effects of the storm.

The
IBEW will continue to give it our all, working with anyone who shares our
commitment to safety and service to ensure relief for the people of the Mid-Atlantic
and Northeast.

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